Support Local at these 12 South Carolina Markets

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There are so many small businesses and entrepreneurs in South Carolina making names for themselves. Fortunately, you can find a lot of their products at local markets. Sample some of the best that SC small businesses have to offer at these local markets. Early holiday shopping, anyone?

1. South Carolina State Farmers Market, West Columbia
Weekdays Year-round, 8am to 4pm at 3483 Charleston Highway

This is a new one and no matter where you are in South Carolina, it is worth a visit! It is fully equipped with a climate-controlled retail building that houses a restaurant, bakery, exhibition kitchen, general store and retail produce space full of local products!

Also, be sure to check out the farmer’s’ shed section, which provides an environment for South Carolina farmers to rent space on a daily or seasonal basis in order to offer their fresh produce!

2. Charleston Farmers Market, Charleston
Saturdays, 8am to 2pm in Marion Square
Holiday Market– Saturdays and Sundays in December, 9am to 3pm

Head to the heart of the Historic District in Downtown Charleston, SC to support all things local! Whether you’re a tourist or a local, there is no better way to experience the city’s color. Sample a variety of local produce, plants, herbs and cut flowers as well as breakfast and lunch vendors, live entertainment and an assortment of juried arts and crafts from local artisans!

The Charleston Farmers Market boasts awards such as being named one of Travel + Leisure Magazine top 10 Best Farmers Markets in the Nation and Charleston City Paper’s “Best Of” outdoor event/attraction every year since 2010.

3. Habersham Farmers Market, Beaufort
Fridays, 4pm to 7pm at The Habersham Marketplace (13 Market St.)

Each week is something a little different, so feel free to frequent! You’ll find fresh produce, crafts and goods from local farmers and artisans with new purveyors each week. Just minutes from Beaufort, the market takes place amid the benches and paths of Habersham Marketplace Square.

4. Hub City Farmers’ Market Wednesday Market Downtown Location, Spartanburg
Saturdays, 8am to noon at Northside Harvest Park 498 Howard St.

Take a trip to the longest-running market in the Upstate. As a producer-only market you’ll find all kinds of local goodies including produce, meats, dairy, bread, and artisan goods. Not only is the Hub City Farmers’ Market committed to supporting local purveyors, they are working to increase supply, demand and access to healthy, local food throughout Spartanburg County! The weekly market is joined by seasonal pop-ups and a mobile market.

5. Hilton Head Island Farmers Market at Historic Honey Horn, Hilton Head
Fridays April through December, 8:30am to 1pm at 70 Honey Horn Plantation Road

If you’re looking to add healthier meals to the dinner menu, why not start with the best produce, fruit, honey and bread Hilton Head has to offer? While you’re collecting ingredients, you might be lucky enough to stumble upon a work of art from local artisans. And when you need a break, breakfast and lunch are available in the Bistro Café.

6. Farmers Market Of Bluffton, Bluffton
Thursdays, March through December, from 2pm to 7pm along Calhoun and Lawrence Streets through Carson Cottages

Fresh, locally grown vegetables, fruits, flowers, plants and herbs abound at the Farmers Market of Bluffton, a weekly community event where locals and tourists gather not only to buy excellent produce but also to enjoy delicious food, listen to entertainment, and relax with friends.
This market showcases local growers, local food vendors, local entertainment, local community causes and local information about the Bluffton area!

7. Port Royal Farmers Market, Port Royal
Saturdays, 8:30am to noon in Heritage Park on Ribaut Road by the Naval Hospital

We hear they have the best She Crab Soup in South Carolina! I guess you’ll have to stop by to find out! While you’re there, enjoy lots of good, fresh, local produce and seafood along with prepared items to go or for consumption on site. If horticulture’s your thing, there are so many plants to add to your garden or, gift to someone whose thumb is greener than yours! It’s all the local feels, set in a park with iconic live oaks, and dripping with Spanish moss!

8. Jasper County Farmers Market, Ridgeland
Fridays April through November, 1pm to 6pm

This market is home to a variety of vendors including produce, baked goods, prepared meals, arts, crafts and estate sales. It’s also an event space for private and community events. Head to their website and mark your calendar for events like oyster roasts and concerts.

9. Summerville Farmers Market, Summerville
Saturdays, 8am to 1pm until December 20 in the First Citizens Bank parking lot, adjacent to
Summerville Town Hall

Browse fresh local produce, meats, seafood and baked goods from 29 local farmers. You’ll pick up things like handmade bread and pasta. And while you’re grabbing a treat from Coco’s Mini Donuts or a coffee from Coastal Coffee Roasters, enjoy live music in the Market Café. Mingle with friends and family and meet the town’s artisans and local personalities!

10. Downtown Florence Farmers Market, Florence
Saturdays Year-round, 9am to 1pm at 369 W. Cheves St. Downtown Florence (city parking lot between Coit and McQueen Streets across from the FDTC parking garage)
If it’s Carolina-grown and Carolina-made, you will find it at this market. Customers can find breakfasts and lunches cooked on-site using market-available ingredients. They are fully stocked with so many local treasures like locally-grown meats, cheeses, fruits and veggies, fresh pastas and sauces, sweets and baked goods, honey, wood and paper crafts, and body products.

11. Georgetown County Farmers Market, Pawleys Island
8 a.m. until 1 p.m. in the public parking lot at 122 Screven St. across from the historic county courthouse in Georgetown.

Buy everything from fresh local produce to crafts and food, now downtown in the heart of the Historic District! Local growers, bakers and craftsmen will set up under the auspices of the nonprofit Waccamaw Market Cooperative. The cooperative’s focus is on locally grown produce and locally made items of all kinds.

12. Soda City Farmer’s Market, Columbia, SC
Saturdays Year-round, 9am to 1pm on the 1500 block of Main St, downtown Columbia

Come hungry and leave happy! This large market is definitely a local favorite in the area. The vendors change slightly from week to week, so you’ll never get tired. No matter what, you’ll be revisiting those delicious food stalls while you shop for local honey, crepes, wine, regional foods, local crafts, art, clothing, home decor. Come early, so you can take your time. Chances are you’ll leave with everything you never knew you needed.